IIFK delegates express solidarity to anti-nuclear stir

Thiruvananthapuram: Delegates at the International Film Festival of Kerala here came out against the coming Koodamkulam Nuclear Power Plant, saying it poses a threat to lakhs of people and expressed solidarity with anti-nuke activists.

They demanded the central and state governments make the annual movie gala `radiation-free` in view of state capital`s close proximity to the KNPP.

Thiruvananthapuram, IFFK`s permanent venue, is just 85 km by air from KNPP and it would pose a threat to the health and security of delegates from and outside the country coming to participate in the festival, noted director T K Rajeevkumar told reporters here today.

"The delegates of the next year`s film festival in Kerala will be consuming contaminated fish, grains and meat since the food in the southern part of the state is coming from southern Tamil Nadu where the nuke plant is located," he said.

He alleged functioning of KNPP would contaminate livestock, agricultural produce and marine resources due to radiation, which would cause cancer and other deformities for people.

"We demand that the next IFFK be free from the threat of radiation, a risk which neither any of us or any of the governments can face as per the history of nuclear disasters," he said.

The delegates also expressed solidarity with anti-KNPP activists fighting against commissioning of the plant.